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Kato EMD FP7

This installation documentation is for the N-Scale Kato EMD FP7. This installation uses the TCS K0D8-F decoder and was performed by TCS.

N-Scale Kato FP7 shown prior to installation.

The Kato FP7 shown with the shell off and the two lighting assemblies removed and set aside for reinstallation later. Remove the small rectangular plug highlighted above in red and lift the original lighting board off of the frame. We will not be reusing these two components and they may be discarded.

With the lighting board removed, the two metal rails need to be electrically isolated. Do this by wrapping them with Kapton tape.

Here is a picture of TCS 1/4" Kapton tape that is used accross this installation. Kapton is not supplied with the decoder and needs to be purchased separately at your local TCS dealer or directly from us.

Shown with the rail properly wrapped.

Attach the K0D8F Decoder to the frame and solder the motor pickup wires as shown highlighted in red below.

With the connection soldered.

Reinstall the lighting assemblies and you can close up the locomotive. Your Kato FP7 is now TCS DCC equipped and ready to roll!

Important Soldering Tip

Please do not use any flux either liquid or paste on the mother board. It will damage it. Use only Rosin core solder approved for electronics use.
We recommend to use only Kester "44" rosin core, SN63PB37, .015" diameter, part number 24-6337-0007.
This can be ordered from Techni-Tool under Techni-Tool part number 488SO157http://www.techni-tool.com

Other solder tips

When stripping wire, only strip a tiny little bit of the insulation. Strip no more then a 1/64 of an inch. When the wire gets tinned with solder, the insulation will shrink back more. Try to not expose any more wire then half the length of the solder pad at most. In no case should solder or exposed wire wire ever be outside the boundary of the the solder pad you are attaching a wire to.Click here for important information on properly Stripping and Tinning wire